ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday sought a reply from the Islamabad deputy commissioner on petitions challenging the detention of two Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNAs under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance.
A single-judge bench of Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro heard petitions filed by PTI MNAs Adil Bazai and Dawar Khan Kundi through their counsel, Babar Awan.
The petitioners have challenged orders issued under Section 3(1) of the MPO on Sept 21, under which they were detained for 15 days.
The petitions name the state through the advocate general and the deputy commissioner Islamabad as respondents.
According to the petitions, the lawmakers were “forcibly and illegally abducted” from outside Parliament Lodges on Sept 21 and subsequently detained.
Awan argued that the detention was unlawful, arbitrary and motivated by “mala fide intentions and ulterior motives”.
He contended that the petitioners had neither instigated the public nor participated in any unlawful activity, and had instead used social media to urge party workers to remain peaceful and avoid creating a public nuisance.
The counsel further argued that the detention orders violated due process and constitutional guarantees and should therefore be set aside.
The petitions also alleged that the two lawmakers were being kept in solitary confinement without adequate basic necessities, safety and healthcare.
Awan contended that their treatment violated Articles 9 and 14 of the Constitution, which respectively safeguard life and liberty and the dignity of individuals.
The court issued notices to the respondents and adjourned further hearing until Thursday (today).
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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